The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-01-26

men throughout the State In Augusta this
morning one of these remonstrances was
passed along Water street and was signed by
a large number of business men. So this
afternoon there was not lacking stun for
fight on either side. Two Knights az Labor
led off with arguments in favor OF the abOli-
tion. and they told many instances OF hard
ship resulting from the present law. Theh
j. o. Ross, Esq, lawyer OF Blddeford,
began for the remonstrants. He
made a long and vigorous argument,
stigmatizing the proposed changes as
for the benefit of "beats and bums."
This didn't please the Knights OF Labor and
one of them allowed that for 'chin music"
lawyer could not be beaten, but when it
came to facts, why, they showed that
honest men were oppressed oy the
present law. Then they called on
man who twas fair although lawyer"
Judge Andrews of Augusta. He strongly
urged the duty of the. Legislature to abolish
the unjust laws. This was good testimony,
which was corroborated by stories OF hard-
ship which several knights had witnessed.
Then Representative Noble of Lewiston.
lawyer who in spite of the amusing filings
the Knights kept making at the lawyers,
was true to his obligations to his constltu-
ents. made very energetic speech against
the old order of dealing with the debtor. Mr..
Mobiles sentiments were loudly. applauded;
and then, as soon as he could be heard,
George Kinmond jumped to his feet 81
come here from the beautiful village Of Sac
carap," said he, "and all my neighbors know
that have lived an honest life. But few
weeks ago they, trusteed my wages, for
small debt and left me in disgrace" and
here Kinmond broke down entirely and sat
down, wiping his eyes with his handker-
chief, while foe of the proposed change
took the floor. This was A. G. Otis, clerk of
courts for Kennebec county, and he gave good
reasons for keeping the laws as they are.
In 16 years he had not known but one case
where the law of imprisonment worked
hardship, and in that case those terrible
lawyers spoken of by the other SIDE" con-
tributed enough to relieve the distress. Some
Of the Knights of Labor and Mr.. Noble
went to cross-questioning Mr.. Otis, and
there were some tart repartees on both sides.
Then everyone tried to talk at once, and
there was a small Babel which the venerable
John G. Talbot helped quieting by remark
ing that it would be better if only two talked
at time; o. w. Simms of Hallowell, who
described himself as an humble individual
told the committee very plainly that before
election they had made promises, and that
now they must fulfil them. Through the
whole hearing the tone of the Knights was
one of demand rather than request, and this
stirred up ex-Sheriff w. ii. Libby of Angus
ia, He made very vigorous protest against
changing laws which he thought it had al
ways been wise policy to maintain. As
sheriff, Mr.. Libby had been very active in
enforcing the present law, and this gave the
knights and their friends chance to send
some hot shots at him..
He replied in kind but did not stir the
Knights up so much as did lawyer Clay, of
Gardiner, who asked them what they pro-
posed to do about it if the committee refused
to recommend a change. Thereupon one
delegate threatened everyl committeeman
who should oppose the proposed changes
with ''the consequences" but some more
prudent Knight modified the threat to an
ominous reference to the next election. The
committee, however, maintained the equa-
nimity, and the hearing ended with good
feeling on both sides.
After the close of the hearing the CON-
mlttee held prolonged session with closed
doors. There was diversity OF opinion in
the discussion that followed, one or two
members expressing considerable conserva-
tism.. 1t is probable that in reporting they
will favor a bill to allow the imprisonment Of
debtor only in case where he has attempt
ed fraud; and as to the trustee process, the
committee is likely to favor a measure that
will exempt the laborers wages mp to a GER
tain amount from attachment.
The educational committee held this after
noon hearing ON the question of abolshing
the school district system. The weight of
the argument was in favor Of the change.
Representatives Lufkin of 0rrington, Kicker
of Westboro, and Russell of Fayette, Nelson
Ham of Lewiston, A. f. Richardson, trustee
of the normal school, Senator Daggett, l. NJ.
Wadsworth and Ira ID. Sturgis were on the
side of the change. Messrs Thurlow of
Deer Isle, and Foster of Lubec, spoke
against the proposition. The committee
will probably report bill favorably, as
Messrs. Ryder, Cushing and Sturgis have
been selected to draft one. The committee
go to G0rham tomorrow.
Major Rowell and Judge Baker of Hallo-
well, and Mrs. l.. NJ. n. Stevens appeared
before the educational committee today in
behalf of the Industrial School at Hallowell.
The committer decided to report favorably
on the bill to allow the town of Gray to ac-
cept the gift of the late Henry Pennell, the
school known as Pennell Institute
The committee on interior waters held
very lively hearing this afternoon and even
ing on the subject of throwing sawdust into
the Damariscotta. w. III. Hilton of Damaris-
Gotta, appeared for the petitioners who don,t
want any more sawdust in the river, and l..
O. Cornish, Esq, of Augusta, was for the
Diamond Match Company, who make the
sawdust. large number of witnesses were
present.
Before the legal affairs committee tonight
Dr. Young, of the State Board of Health,
made an argument in favor of system of
registering deaths and births.
The railroad commissioners met the COM
mittee on railroads this evening, and discuss
ed the questions taken up in the annual re-
port of the commissioners.
Notes.
Many remarkable claims come to the Leg
islature. Today came petition from Fran
els Holden, of the town of Oxford, who asks
that he be reimbursed for SIS expenses and
200 miles of travel at the time Of the Aroos-
took war. Holden was captain of compa-
ny in that memorable conflict.
Mr.. Sturgis of New Gloucester, presented
a bill today, to relieve the town Of Gray Of
certain amount of State tax unjustly assessed
by mistake which put part Of Gorham's
tax onto Gray.
A bill introduced in the House this morn
ing provides that sin addition to the powers
and privileges already possessed, the Desha
Lumber and Planting Company shall have
power to construct, maintain and operate a
railroad, or telegraph and telephone
systems in any State or country in accor-
dance with and subject to all the laws Of
such State or country" 1t shall also have
power to construct and maintain acqueducts
and reservoirs" for the purpose Of supplying
fresh water to the inhabitants OF any city
or town in any State or country subject to
all the laws of such State or country" The
company "shall also," according to the bill,
''have the power to conduct general bank
ing business in connection with any railroad
it may establish, subject to the laws in force
where such business may be conducted. But
nothing herein shall be construed to give
said corporation any banking privileges in
the State of Maine other than those now
possessed by said corporation.
The bill to incorporate the Maine Mutual
Accident Association was read twice and
assigned for its third reading in the Senate
yesterday.
A bill to allow the Somerset Railway to
extend its line provides for a railroad from
Anson, through New Portland and probably
Eustis, up the North Branch of Dead River
TO the Canada line to junction with the
Intercolonial road. This is a part of the
Wiscasset and Kennebec scheme.
A bill introduced this morning by Mr..
Barker of Bangor, to provide for more pub
lie information concerning criminals before
courts, would have published in one or more
newspapers in each county ''list of all
criminal cases disposed of during such
term," specifying the name of the crime and
| all the essential facts relating to the trial.
This evening Clarence Hale, Esq, Hon.
Josiah Drummond, Hon. Henry B. Cleaves,
and County Attorney Seiders were among
the Portland people at the Augusta House.